Is this the shape of things to come? Our mocked-up picture shows how a proposed wind farm of 30 140m (458ft) turbines could look off the North's coast.

The scheme proposed by EDF Energy looks set to get the go-ahead off Coatham Sands at Redcar, Teesside . . . and is already generating a lot of static.

The plan has been slated by local councillors, residents and the town's MP Vera Baird who fear the turbines are too close to the shore. They say the farm could be dangerous to wildlife, especially migrating birds.

Redcar and Cleveland councillor Irene Curr said: "If these turbines were sited further out we would be happy as we are not against green energy.

"But these are just too close and are on a important migration route for birds. We are also concerned about the effect the structures will have on the tides in the bay.

"If they stop sediment coming into the bay this could potentially affect the numbers of small creatures that the wading birds feed upon. We believe it would be foolish to site these turbines in such a sensitive area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest if it affects wildlife."

Concern has also been raised about children swimming or using inflatables to go near the turbines, which will only be a quarter of a mile from the shore at low tide.

Some people also fear what might happen if there was a repeat of the 1993 incident in which the Freja Svea tanker beached at Redcar in heavy storms. Mrs Curr said: "What would have happened if it crashed into a wind farm?"

Jonathan Levy of EDF said: "It's very early days for the project and there are going to be a variety of views expressed. There will be a maximum of 30 turbines on site. However, we haven't determined the height of the structures or their capacity.

"We believe we will be able to generate about 100 mega- watts capacity, enough power for roughly 70,000 homes over a year."

The UK's first offshore wind farm at Blyth, Northumberland, has nine 30m (100ft) turbines on the harbour wall and two 58m (190ft) turbines in the sea.

The turbines in the Coatham proposal could be anything up to 140m (458ft).